Made-up CNN graphic circulates after India-Pakistan truce

Published on May 18, 2025 at 09:54
3 min read
By Sachin BAGHEL, AFP India

A fabricated CNN graphic comparing New Delhi and Islamabad's losses during their recent conflict has surfaced in posts that say it shows Pakistan "won". A spokesperson for the broadcaster told AFP it did not produce the material, which contains unsubstantiated figures.

"Emotions aside, these are the real cold facts about this conflict. Clearly, Pakistan won overwhelmingly," reads the caption of an image shared on X on May 12, 2025.

Titled "India-Pakistan Conflict Statistics", it is presented as a CNN infographic with the channel's logo visible in the bottom-right corner.

The graphic compares the purported losses sustained by arch-rivals India and Pakistan during four days of intense fighting that killed about 70 people. The figures indicate India lost more jets, drones, soldiers and civilian population.

Screenshot of the false Facebook post, captured on May 14, 2025

The mocked-up graphic, also shared in similar Facebook and Instagram posts, circulated after New Delhi and Islamabad agreed to a ceasefire unexpectedly announced by US President Donald Trump on May 10 (archived link).

The violence, the worst between the neighbours in decades, came two weeks after an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people and which India accused Pakistan of backing.

Pakistan firmly denied any involvement and called for an independent investigation.

Following the halt to hostilities, both New Delhi and Islamabad laid out the military actions taken (archived here and here).

The circulating image is "fabricated", a CNN spokesperson told AFP in a May 12 email. "CNN at no point reported this information."

A keyword search of the broadcaster's website and official social media platforms found no similar graphics about the conflict.

Despite the halt in hostilities, misinformation has continued to spread on social media and users from both countries vie to control public perceptions (archived link).

The figures in the graphic also differ from official numbers released by both sides.

It claims India lost six fighter jets, while Pakistan lost none.

Pakistan said it had downed five Indian warplanes -- including three French Rafale fighter jets -- although New Delhi has not confirmed any losses (archived link).

The chart also says 40 Indians died in the fighting -- 21 soldiers and 19 civilians -- while the death toll in Pakistan was 14 -- one soldier and 13 civilians.

On May 14, Pakistan's army announced 40 civilians and 13 military service members had been killed; India said 15 civilians and five soldiers died on its side (archived link).

AFP has debunked other misinformation stemming from the conflict between India and Pakistan here.

Is there content that you would like AFP to fact-check? Get in touch.

E-mail